Top quality latex paints do not tend to yellow, nor does
non-yellowing varnish. Alkyd paints, because of their
curing mechanism, do tend to yellow, particularly in areas
that are protected from sunlight.

When
painting, protect your hands and face with moisturizer. Cleanup will be easier
and the moisturizer will prevent paint from seeping into the pores.

To
stop paint from dripping, punch a few holes in the rim of the paint can. When
the brush is wiped against the edge, the paint flows back into the can. The lid
covers the holes so the paint won’t dry out.

Before pouring paint from a can,
cover the rim with masking tape. After pouring, remove the tape -- the rim will
be clean and the cover will fit tightly.

To remove lumps from paint: Cut a
piece of screen to fit the inside of the paint can. Set it on top of the paint
and let it float down to the bottom of the can. It will take all the lumps with
it, trapping them at the bottom of the can.

When painting a room, dip a small
card into the paint so that you have the exact colour with you and can match
accessories in store.

When painting inside corners,
trim the paint brush bristles to a V to save strokes and spread paint more
easily.

When you poke a paint brush into
corners or allow it to rest on the bottom of the paint can, the bristles curl
and stray. To straighten natural bristles (not synthetics), try wrapping the
brush in a couple of thicknesses of damp cloth and press gently with an iron.
The steam and cloth binding do the job. Only light pressure is needed. Let the
bristles cool before you unwrap the brush.

When painting old woodwork fill
in the holes or cracks with a mixture of flour and some of the paint you are
using. It hardens like cement and matches perfectly.

When painting stairs, paint every
other step first. When these are dry, paint the rest.

To avoid cleaning paint brushes
and rollers if you intend to use the same colour later, or if you do not have
time to clean immediately, place the brushes and rollers in a plastic bag, tie
shut and place in the freezer. They will keep for several days without drying
up.

Protect hands from paint solvent
by putting the brush and solvent into a strong plastic bag. With hands outside
the bag, work the solvent into the brush through the plastic.

After cleaning your paint brush,
a few drops of oil worked into the bristles will leave the brush soft and ready
to use.

To clean paint rollers, fill an
empty one-quart milk carton with solvent, put the roller inside and crimp the
ends shut. Give the carton a few shakes, then let sit for a couple of hours.